Control device for the operation of a sewing machine

ABSTRACT

A control device for the operation of a sewing machine comprising in combination a sewing machine for carrying out a sewing cycle; an electric driving device for electrical connecting to and disconnecting from said sewing machine; a manual control device having an inoperative position and different operative positions for controlling said driving device so as to drive and stop said sewing machine; and an electric stop device connected to said driving and control devices for selectively stopping a sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower point.

[ 51 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] CONTROL DEVI F R T E 3,174,450 3/1965 Becker et a1. ..112/219 A 3,237,579 3/1966 Medynski et a1 ..112/219 A OPERATION OF A SEWING MACHINE 3,245,369 4/1966 Myska [72] Inventors: Toru Matsubara; Tadashi Kozuka; 3,253,685 5/1966 M r l t ll Hiroaki Shinomiya; Noritoshi Aoyama, all 3,367,296 2/1968 Harruff of Tokyo, Japan 3,482,535 12/1969 Hayashi et a1. 1.1 12/67 [73] Assignee: Tokyo Juki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Primary Examiner H Hampton Hunter [22] Filed: Dec. 29, 1969 Att0rneyWenderoth, Lind & Ponack [21] Appl. No.: 888,492 57 ABSTRACT A control device for the operation of a sewing machine com- [30] Forms Apphcamn Pnomy Data prising in combination a sewing machine for carrying out a June 19, 1969 Japan sewing cycle; an electric driving device for electrical connect- June 20 1969 Japan ..44/48760 mg m and diswnnecfing Said Sewing machine; a manual control device having an inoperative position and different 52 US. Cl. ..112/219 A, 112/217.4 (Waive P$itions commmng Said driving device as to 51 Int. Cl. ..D05b 69/22 drive and st0P Said Sewing machine; and electric StOP [58] Field of Search "1 12/2l9 A 219 B, 219 220 device connected to said driving and control devices for selec- 112/67 87 tively stopping a sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower point. [56] References cued 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,103,905 9/1963 Altllens et al ..1 12/67 X I PATENIED Jmzsxsvz 3,636; 902

sum 1 or 2 A B c D D E F 1 I 4 f e l i 1 TORU MA'ISUBARA, 'I'ADASHI KOZUKA, HIROAKI SHINOMIYA & Noritoshi Aoyama INVENTOR S wMMZ/M ATTORNEY S PATENTEDJMZSISYZ 3.636802 m a or 2 TORU MATSUBARA, TADASHI KOZUKA, HIROAKI SHINOMIYA & NORITOSHI AOYAMA,

INYENTOR S a/LAM $104M ATTORNEY S CONTROL DEVICE FOR THE OPERATION OF A SEWING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of devices for controlling the operation of sewing machines have been proposed and are in use. In one of the conventional control devices the speed of the sewing machine is controlled by the pressure exerted by the operators foot on a pedal. In such a conventional control device, when the force applied on the foot pedal by the operators toe is released to allow the pedal to return to its original or inoperative position the needle stops and is held at the lower dead point and the operator must raise the needle from such position to the upper dead point. The operator does this by pressing down on the pedal with his heel or by actuating a separate switch with his knee to drive the machine for a half cycle.

However, in the above-mentioned type control device, when the sewing machine is to be driven at a relatively low speed, the pressure applied to the foot pedal must be reduced and such reduction in pressure depends upon the sensitivity, experience and skill of the operator. Correct reduction of the pedal pressure, when the sewing machine is to be driven at low speed, can be effected only by experience and skilled operators. Furthermore, when the sewing machine operation which has been initiated by pressing the foot pedal down is stopped by releasing the pressure on the pedal to allow the pedal to return to the original or inoperative position, the needle always stops at the lower dead point which means the needle is piercing the article being sewn. However, in a cycle of a sewing operation, the period of time during which the needle should be stopped at the lower dead point accounts for a small portion of the operation cycle. The time during which the needle is stopped at the upper dead point accounts for a greater portion of any one cycle of a sewing operation. Positioning the article to be sewn, replacement of needles and bobbins and other operations should be effected when the needle is held at the upper dead point. Therefore, it is a great convenience if the needle always stops at the upper dead point wherever pressure is removed from the foot pedal to allow it to return to the original inoperative position.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned conventional control device, when it is desired to move the needle from the lower to the upper dead point, it is sometimes necessary to actuate a particular member other than the foot pedal. In this case, it is necessary to provide and selectively operate different members for the driving of the machine and for changing the needle stoppage position, respectively. Selective operation of such different members can be effected only by operators having long experience and a high degree of skill in the art and such selective operation of the different members may divert the operators attention from the proper sewing region resulting in unsatisfactory sewing results and/or premature fatigue on the part of the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a control device for the operation of a sewing machine and, more particularly, to a control device which is adapted to control the stopping position of the needle of said sewing machine.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved control device for the operation of a sewing machine which can effectively control the position in which the needle is stopped and which can eliminate the disadvantages inherent in the conventional devices for controlling the operation of a sewing machine.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control device for the operation of a sewing machine which comprises in combination a sewing machine adapted to be driven for a cycle of a sewing operation; an electric driving device adapted to be electrically connected to and disconnected from said sewing machine; a manual control device which is normally in a neutral position, a one direction position, a first other direction position and a second other direction position for controlling said driving device to drive and stop said sewing machine; and an electric stop device connected to said driving and control device for selectively stopping the sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower dead point and in which said control device is related to said stop device so that when the control device is in said one direction position said needle will always move upwardly and downwardly; when the control device is in said neutral position the needle will be maintained at said predetermined upper point, when the control device is in said first other direction position the needle will be held at said predetermined lower point, when the control device is in said second other direction position the needle will be held at said predetermined upper point and when the control device is moved directly from the first other direction to the neutral position while bypassing the second other direction position the needle will be held at the predetermined lower point.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control device for the operation of a sewing machine which comprises in combination a sewing machine adapted to be driven for a cycle of a sewing operation; an electric driving device adapted to be electrically connected and disconnected from said sewing machine; a manual control device adapted to assume a forced neutral position, a one direction position, a first other direction position and a second other direction position; and an electric stop device connected to said driving and control devices for selectively stopping a sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower point and in which said control device is related to said stop device so that when the control device is in said one direction position said needle will move upwardly and downwardly, when the control device is in said forced neutral position the needle will be held at said predetermined upper point, when the control device is in said first other direction position the needle will be held at said predetermined lower point, when the control device is in said second other direction position the needle will be held at the predetermined upper point and the manual control device can be changed over between the forced neutral and first other direction positions can be changed over between these while bypassing the second other and one direction positions.

The above and other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more clearly apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of the invention for illustration purpose only, but not for limiting the scope of the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a diagrammatic view of one preferred embodiment of a control device for the operation of a sewing machine and its associated electric circuit;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view partially in section showing a link mechanism for operatively connecting the treadle and clutch lever which forms a part of said control device with a portion thereof broken away;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the said treadle and the needle of a sewing machine controlled thereby which incorporates said control device of FIG. in various different operative positions in a cycle of a sewing operation;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modified embodiment of a control device for the operation of a sewing machine and its associated electric circuit according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view partly in section showing a link mechanism for operatively connecting the treadle and clutch lever which forms a part of said modified control device with portion thereof broken away; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the treadle and the needle of a sewing machine controlled thereby which incorporates said modified control device in various different operative positions in a cycle of a sewing operation.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be now described referring to the accompanying drawings and more particularly, to FIGS. 1 through 3 in which a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. in FIG. 1, the control device of the invention is diagrammatically shown as being employed in conjunction with the conventional needle positioning and stopping mechanism as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,l74,450, for example, together with its electric circuit. The needle positioning and stopping mechanism generally comprises a motor 62 suitably mounted on the underside of the table 61 of a sewing machine 60 to be driven by a conventional power source (not shown). The mechanism has a continuously rotating motor shaft 65 a substantial portion of which is within the motor housing 62'. The shaft 65 is suitably journaled in the motor housing by means of suitable bearings (not shown). Disposed within the motor housing 62' and secured to one end of the shaft 65 is a pulley 63 and the other end of the motor shaft extends outwardly through the adjacent end wall of the motor housing 62' and has a disc 64 secured thereto for rotation therewith. A slidable clutch shaft 73 is suitably joumaled in a clutch housing 77 by means of suitable bearings (not shown) and the clutch shaft housing is connected to the motor housing 62 in a conventional manner. One or the inner end of the clutch shaft 73 terminates short of the outwardly extended end of the motor shaft 65 and has a disc 66 secured thereto in an opposing relation to the disc 64 on the motor shaft 65. The other end of the clutch shaft 73 extends outwardly through the adjacent end wall of the housing 77 and has a pulley 70 secured thereto. The pulley 70 is operatively connected through a belt 69 to a pulley 68 which is secured to the outer end ofa sewing machine shaft 67 which extends outwardly through the sewing machine body above and in parallel to the motor shaft 65. An L-shaped clutch lever 72 is operatively connected by its upright arm to the clutch shaft 73 in a suitable conventional manner and the horizontal arm of the clutch lever 72 is connected to a treadle l by means of an upright link bar 2 which is pivoted at the upper end to the horizontal arm of the clutch lever. A compressed spring 89 is provided having one end secured to the motor housing 62' and the other end secured to the horizontal arm of the clutch lever 72 so that the spring normally urges the clutch lever 72 in its retracting or the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1. Thus, when the treadle l is depressed by the operators toe (the depression of the pedal by the toe will be referred to as the first direction operation") the lever 72 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction against the force of the spring 89 thereby to cause the clutch shaft 73 to move slidingly towards the left; and on the other hand, when the treadle 1 is released the lever 72 is pivoted in the clockwise direction by the force of the spring 89 thereby causing the clutch shaft 73 to move back towards the right. A rotary member 76 is loosely mounted on the clutch shaft 73 between the disc 64 and pulley 70 and comprises a disc 74 and a worm gear 75 integral with the disc. The rotary member 76 is so mounted on the clutch shaft 73 that when the treadle is depressed down in the first direction operation for initiating a cycle of a sewing operation on the sewing machine 60 in the manner mentioned above, the clutch lever 72 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction against the force of the spring 8 thereby to move the clutch shaft 73 slidingly towards the left which in turn causes the disc 66 to abut against the disc 64 on the motor shaft 65 and on the other hand, when the treadle 1 is released from its holding down force to permit the treadle to return to the original position the clutch lever 72 is permitted to move clockwise to return to the original or inoperative position by the force of the spring 89 thereby causing the clutch shaft 73 to move back towards the right to its original position which in turn causes the disc 66 to move away from the disc 64 and then to abut against the disc 74 of the rotary member 76. A worm shaft 79 is journaled within the clutch shaft housing 77 in suitable bearings for slidable movement for a limited distance in the axial direction which is perpendicular to the axis of the clutch shaft 73 and has a magnetic disc 78 secured at the lower end and the other end of the worm shaft is formed with a worm 80 which meshes with a worm gear 75. The clutch shaft housing 77 further houses a rotary magnet 81 and a stationary magnet 82 which are disposed around the worm shaft 79 with the magnetic disc 78 on the worm shaft interposed therebetween in a spaced relation to the disc, respectively. The rotary magnet 81 is rotatable with respect to the worm shaft 79, but is prevented from moving in the axial direction along the shaft by means of two thrust collars (not shown) secured to the worm shaft in positions opposing the opposite end faces of the rotary magnet 81, and the stationary magnet 82 is fixedly secured to the worm shaft 79. Rotational movement is imparted the rotary magnet 81 from the motor shaft 65 by means of a belt 84 which is trained over the pulley 63 on the motor shaft 65, an intermediate pulley 83 which is supported on a transverse shaft (not shown) disposed below the motor housing 62' and the annular groove in the rotary magnet 81. Thus, when the motor shaft 65 is rotated from a suitable power source, the disc 63 secured to the shaft is rotated at the speed of the rotational movement of the shaft and at the same time the rotary magnet 31 is also rotated in idle motion with respect to the worm shaft 79 at the same speed by means of the transmission mechanism including the pulley and belt arrangement 63, 83 and belt 84 and the annular groove on the rotary magnet. With the motor shaft 65 and rotary magnet 81 rotating in the manner mentioned above assuming that the motor is continuously driven, when the treadle 1 is depressed down in the first direction, the clutch shaft 73 is slidably and leftwardly moved on the motor shaft 65 by means of the clutch lever 72 until the disc 66 of the clutch shaft abuts against the disc 64 on the motor shaft whereupon the rotational movement of the motor shaft is transmitted to the clutch shaft which in turn drives the sewing machine 60 at a high speed for one cycle of a sewing operation through the pulley 70, belt 63, pulley 68 and machine shaft 67. After the completion of the cycle of operation, when the treadle l is released from the force applied thereon the treadle is allowed to return to its original or inoperative position whereupon the clutch lever 73 is slidably and rightwardly moved on the motor shaft 65 until the disc 66 on the clutch shaft abuts against the disc 74 of the rotary shaft 79, If at this time the stationary magnet 82 is deenergized while the rotary magnet 81 is energized. Then, the magnetic force of the rotary magnet 81 attracts the disc 78 to cause the worm shaft 79 to rotate the rotary magnet 81 which in turn drives the clutch shaft 73 from the worm 80 on the worm shaft and the rotary member 76 at a reduced speed as compared with the rotan'onal speed of the motor shaft 65. The rotation of the clutch shaft 73 drives the sewing machine 60 through the pulley 70, belt 69, pulley 68 and shaft 67. If, on the other hand the rotary magnet 81 is deenergized because the circuit to the rotary magnet is broken while the stationary magnet 82 is energized because the circuit to the stationary magnet is closed the magnetic force of the energized stationary magnet 82 attracts the disc 7'8 which in turn stops the rotation of the worm shaft 79 and rotary member 76 and accordingly, the sewing machine 60 ceases its operation.

As shown in FIG. ii, the extreme right-hand end of the sew ing machine shaft 67 (as seen in FIG. 1) has a conductive detection cam 86 having a notch 85 in its periphery secured thereto and the cam is connected to one pole of the circuit to a suitable power source. The detection cam 86 is supported on a transverse shaft which is in turn suitably supported in a suitable support structure (not shown). A pair of lower and upper contacts 87 and 88 are normally disposed in contact with the periphery of the detection cam 86 at diametrically opposite points of the periphery and the cam and contacts are so arranged that when the needle bar (not shown) of the sewing machine has reached the lower dead point in its movement stroke the notch 85 is disposed in registration with the lower contact 87 so as to separate the contact 87 from the cam 85 thereby to break the circuit to the cam and when the needle bar has reached the upper dead point in its movement stroke the notch 85 is disposed in registration with the upper contact 33 so as to separate the contact 558 from the cam thereby to break the circuit to the earn.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the left end of the horizontal arm of the clutch lever 72 is connected to the upper end of an upper link bar 2 and the lower end of the link bar is connected to the upper end of a lower link bar 3 by means of a U- shaped connecting member 3 which is secured to the lower link bar 3 by means of a set screw 5. The lower end portion of the upper link bar 2 extends loosely through aligned bores in the upper and lower legs of the U-shaped connecting member for slidable movement with respect to the connecting member and has a collar 6 secured to the extreme end. A compression spring 7 is disposed on the upper link bar lower end portion between the lower leg of the U-shaped connecting member 4 and the collar 6. The lower end of the lower link bar 3 is pivoted to the left end of the treadle l (as seen in FIG. 2).

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the treadle 1 is pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft 9 and has a box-shaped member 10 mounted on the underside thereof by a suitable means and the shaft 9 extends transversely of the box-shaped member. A substantially V-shaped elastic member H is secured within the box-shaped member 19 and the elastic member has a pair of arms 13 and 14 having inwardly bent free ends which abut against the underside of the treadle 1, respectively. The elastic member 11 is secured at the apex to the inner bottom of the box-shaped member it) by means of a set screw 12. The elastic member 11 is adapted to resist the force applied on the treadle i for depressing the treadle by the heel of the operator (which will be referred to as movement to a heeling position or the other direction operation hereinafter) and to return the treadle to the original or inoperative position as soon as the depressing force has been removed from the treadle. To describe more particularly, the V-shaped elastic member 11 is so constructed and arranged that when the treadle I is initially depressed by a force at the right-hand end (as seen in FIG. 2) so as to raise the other or left hand (as seen in FIG. 2) from the full line position to the first heeling position D as indicated by the double dash chain line (which will be referred to as the first other direction operation" hereinafter) the depressing force is resisted by only the force of the arm 13 of the elastic member 11 and when the depressing force on the right-hand end of the treadle i is increased the left end of the treadle is further raised to the dotted line second heeling position E (which will be referred to as the second other direction operation hereinafter) in which the depressing force is resisted by the combined force of both legs 13 and 14.

The strength of the above-mentioned springs 89 and 7 and the leg 13 of the elastic member 11 is so selected that when the treadle l is in the inoperative position as indicated by the full lines in FIG. 2, the clutch lever 72 is pulled upwardly by the spring 89, the disc 66 on the clutch shaft 73 abuts against the disc 74 of the rotary member 76 and the treadle 1 allows the connecting member 4 to be urged upwardly by the compressive force of the compression spring 7 which in turn urges the treadle to pivot about the transverse shaft 9 in the clockwise direction in which only the leg 13 of the elastic member ll contacts the underside of the treadle and the other leg 14 of the elastic member remains spaced from the underside of the treadle. Further, when the treadle l is initially depressed with a slight force from the inoperative or full line position to the single dash chain line intermediate during position B as shovm in FIG. 2, the chain line strengths of spring 89 and spring 7 are such that the spring 7, is still compressed through the lower link bar 3 and connecting member 4 due to the pivotal movement of the treadle about the shaft 9, but at this stage of the pivoting of the treadle the force of the spring 89 is still sufiicient to overcome the force which tends to pull the clutch lever 72 downwardly. Only when the depressing force applied on the treadle l is increased enough to compress the spring 7 sufficiently to allow the treadle to pivot to the triple dash chain-line full driving position B in FIG. 2, does the compressed spring 7 overcome the force of the spring 89 to pull the clutch lever 72 downwardly in the counterclockwise direction and the leg 14 of the elastic member ll contacts the underside of the treadle ll. 0n the other hand, as the treadle l is successively pivoted from the full line position to the chain line first heeling position D and then to the dotted line second heeling position E in the manner mentioned above, the treadle 1 causes the connecting member 4 to move upwardly by means of the lower link bar 3 relative to the upper link bar 2, but does not move the upper link bar upwardly whereby the clutch lever 72 is not subjected to the force which pivots the treadle l in the first and second other direction operation.

Switches I5, 16 and 17 in the circuit of FIG. I are actuated by the treadle to move between two positions in response to the different positions of the treadle l. The switch 15 assumes the position as indicated by the chain line when the treadle reaches the chain line position in the second other direction operation and the switch remains in the position when the treadle is in the dotted line second heeling position E. The switch 16 assumes the position as indicated by the chain line only when the treadle is pivoted in the second other direction operation to the dotted line second heeling position E while the switch 17 assumes the position as indicated by the chain line when the treadle is initially pivoted to intermediate driving position B in the one direction operation (the spring 7 is only slightly depressed, but the clutch lever 72 is not yet pivoted downwardly in the counterclockwise direction as in FIG. 2) and still remains in this position even when the treadle is further pivoted in the one direction operation. Thus, when the treadle l is in the inoperative position as indicated by the full line, all the switches 15, i6 and 17 remain in their full line positions as shown in FIG. 1.

In the circuit of FIG. 1, relay R1 has a switch Rl-l, relay R2 has a switch R2-l, relay R3 has switches R3-l and R3-2 and relay R4 has switches R E-l and R4-2, respectively. These switches change the positions of their contacts in response to the positions of their contacts in response to the operative and inoperative positions of their respectively associated relays. When the relay are in their inoperative conditions their associated switches are in the positions as indicated by the full lines, respectively whereas when the relays are in their operative conditions their associated switches are in the positions as indicated by the chain lines, respectively as shown in FIG. 1.

The relay R1 is so constructed and arranged that when the sewing machine 60 is operated by the low speed rotating member 76 the relay remains inoperative until the notch on the detection cam 86 comes to register with either the upper or lower contact 88 or 87 so as to break the circuit to the particular registering contact. In other words, the relay R1 is so constructed and arranged that even if either the contact 87 or 88 comes to register with the cam notch 85 to break the circuit to the particular registering contact as the sewing machine is being operated at a predetermined high rate, the relay remains energized, but the relay is rendered inoperative only when the cam notch 85 comes to register with either the contact 87 or 88 to break the circuit to the particular registering contact as the sewing machine so is driven at a reduced speed by the rotary member 76.

The construction and arrangement of the parts of the control device for the operation of a sewing machine by the present invention are as described above. The positions of the various parts of the novel control device as shown in FIG. 1 are those when the treadle I is in its inoperative or full line position as shown in FIG. 2 in which the disc 66 on the clutch shaft 73 abuts against the disc 74' on the rotary member 76. Furthermore, when the treadle l is in its inoperative or full line position of FIG. 2, the switches 15, E6 and 17 assume the full line positions in FIG. 1, respectively and the various relays are in their inoperative positions with their respectively associated switches assuming the full line positions in FIG. I. The stationary magnet 82 is energized through the switch Rl-ll by the circuit to the switch so as to attract the disc 78 on the worm shaft 79 whereupon the rotational movement of the rotary shaft 79 which is driven by the worm shaft ceases.

When the circuit to the upper contact 86 is broken by its registering with the cam notch 85, the needle in the sewing machine 60 stops at the upper dead point in its movement stroke as shown in FlG. 3-A and the motor shaft 65 and accordingly, the disc 6d thereon rotates at a high speed and the rotary magnet 81 is rotated on the worm shaft 79 in idle motion with respect to the latter by the motor shaft 65 through the pulley and belt arrangement 63, 83 and 84.

with the parts assuming the positions shown in FIG. 1, when the treadle 1 is initially depressed to intermediate driving position B in the one direction operation compressing the spring 7 slightly without pivoting the clutch lever downwardly in the counterclockwise direction, the switch 1'7 assumes the chain line position of FIG. 1 and the relays R1 and R4 are energized to move their associated switches to the chain line positions whereby the switch Rl-l. assumes the chain line position whereupon the stationary magnet 82 is deenergized whereas the rotary magnet 81 is energized to attract the disc 78 on the worm shaft 79. The rotational movement of the rotary magnet 81 is transmitted through the worm 80 on the worm shaft 79, rotary member 76, clutch shaft 73, pulley 70, belt 69, pulley 68 and machine shaft 67 to the sewing machine and the machine which had been halted with the needle stopped at the upper dead point is driven at a reduced speed rate. At this stage of the operation, even if the circuit to the switch 17 is broken the switch Rd-l maintains its associated relay R4 energized and the switch R4-2 is ready to establish the circuit to the relay R3.

Even after the sewing machine 60 has initiated the operation and the upper contact 88 has reengaged the detection cam 86 to establish the circuit from the cam 86 through the contact 88 and relay R3-2 in its full line position to the relay Rll, no change occurs in the now energized circuit. And even when the notch 85 on the detection cam comes to register with the lower contact 87 to break the circuit to the contact as the sewing machine continues to be driven at a low speed, no change will occur in the circuit because the switch R3-2 remains in its full line position of FIG. 1. Therefore, the sewing machine 60 is permitted to be driven at the low speed by the low speed rotating rotary member 76 and the needle moves reciprocally in its vertical movement stroke as shown in FIG. 3-8. When the treadle 1 is further depressed to driving position B against the force of the spring 7, the clutch lever 72 is pivoted downwardly in the counterclockwise direction so as to cause the clutch shaft 73 to slidably move along the motor shaft 65 towards the left until the disc 66 on the clutch shaft 73 engages the disc 64 on the motor shaft 65 which is now rotating at a high speed whereupon the operation of the sewing machine 60 is shifted from the low speed drive to the high speed one. During the operation of the sewing machine 60 at the high speed, the rotary member 76 is rotating at a low speed because the switch 17 is maintained in the chain line position.

When the force depressing the treadle l is released from the treadle, the treadle returns to the full line position of FIG. 2 by the force of the springs 8Q and 7 and the disc 66 on the clutch shaft 73 which is now rotating at a high speed disengages from the disc 6d on the motor shaft 65 and then engages the disc 74 of the rotary member 76 which is now rotating at a low speed by the inertia force of the sewing machine clutch shaft 73, disc 66 thereon and pulley 70. After having engaged the disc 74, the clutch shaft 73 and accordingly, the disc 66 will decrease its rotational speed gradually being subjected to the braking force of the disc 74. When the rotational speed of the disc 66 has been reduced to a predetermined value, the switch 17 assumes the full line position thereby breaking the circuit to the relay R1. However, as long as the sewing machine 60 is driven at high speed, the switch 17 remains energized through the circuit which is established from the cam 86, the upper contact 88 and the switch R3-2 which is then in the full line position and the relay R4 also remains energized through the switch Rl-l in the chain line position. As soon as the rotational rate of the clutch shaft 73 and accordingly, the disc 66 on the clutch shaft is reduced to the rotational speed of the rotary member 76 due to the fact that the disc 66 contacts and is braked by the disc 74, the sewing machine is driven at the low speed of the rotary member 76. Thereafter, when the cam 86 is rotated an angular distance sufficient to register the notch with the upper contact 88, the circuit to the contact is broken whereupon the switch Rl-l is shifted to the chain line position thereby to energize the stationary magnet 82 which in turn stops the needle at the upper dead point as shown in F IG. 3-C resulting in the stoppage of the operation of the sewing machine.

With the needle held at the upper dead point as mentioned above, when the treadle l is depressed to the first heeling position Din the first other direction operation against the force of the leg 13 of the elastic member 11, the switch 15 is shifted to the chain line position whereby the circuit to the relay R3 is established through the R-Z in the chain line position whereupon the switches R3-l and R3-2 are shifted to the chain line positions, the switch R34 maintains the relay R3 in the energized position and the switch R3-2 establishes the circuit to the relay R1 through the lower contact 87. Thus, the switch Rl-l assumes the chain line position to energize the rotary magnet 81 thereby to initiate the operation of the sewing machine 60 at the low speed. With the initiation of the sewing machine operation, the shaft 67 is rotated and as the shaft rotates an angular distance of the needle is moved from the upper dead point to the lower dead point whereupon the circuit including the lower contact 87, switch R3-2 in the chain line position and the relay R1 is broken. Thus, the switch Rl-l is shifted to the full line position and the stationary magnet 82 is energized to stop the needle at the lower dead point as shown in FIG. 3-D.

When the treadle 1 which is now in the first heeling position 1) in FIG. 2 is further depressed in the second other direction operation against the force of both the legs 13 and 14 of the elastic member 11 to the second heeling position E, the switch 16 assumes the chain line position while the switch 15 remains energized whereby the relay R2 is energized to shift the associated switch R2-l to the chain line position so as to deenergize the relays R4 and R3 which in turn shift their associated switches R4-1, R4-2, R34 and R3-2 to the full line positions, respectively. In such a case, the switches R4-1 and R3-1 release the relays R4 and R3 from their self-holding condition and the switch R3-2 establishes the circuit to the relay Rl-l through the upper contact 88. Thus, when the treadle l is moved from the first heeling position E to the second heeling position D in the second other direction against the force of the legs 13, 14 of the elastic member 12, the switch Rl-l assumes the chain line position to energize the rotary magnet 81 thereby to drive the sewing machine 60 at the low speed. As the shaft rotates by an angular distance of H30 the needle moves from the lower dead point to the upper dead point whereupon the circuit including the upper contact 88, the switch R3-2 in the full line position and relay R1 is broken and the switch Rll-l assumes the full line position whereby the stationary magnet 82 is energized to stop the needle at the upper dead point as shown in FIG. 3-E resulting in the stoppage of the sewing machine.

When the treadle l is partially released from the holding down force so that the treadle is allowed to pivot from the second heeling position E to the first heeling position i) in which the elastic member leg 14 disengages from the treadle leaving only the leg 33 contracting the treadle (the pivotal movement from H6. 34?. position to FIG. 3-D position), the switch 16 assumes the full line position to deenergize the relay R2 and the switch RZ-l assumes the full line position, the circuits to the remaining relays are not established and the needle remains at the upper dead point. However, when the treadle l is further released so that the treadle is allowed to pivot from the first heeling position D to the full line position in which both the elastic member legs 13 and 14 disengage from the treadle (the pivotal movement from FIG. 3-E position to FIG. 3-F position), only the switch 15 assumes the full line position whereas the circuits to the various relays are not established. Therefore, the needle remains at the upper dead position during the pivotal movement of the treadle i from the dotted line position to the full line position (from FiG. 3-E position to FIG. B-F position) and the various relays remain deenergized with their respectively associated switches assuming the full line positions, respectively.

When the treadle i is released from FIG. 3-D position assumed in the first other direction (in which the switch is in the first healing position D and the relays R3 and R4 are energized to maintain their associated switches in the chain line positions, respectively, whereby the needle is stopped at the lower dead point) to allow the treadle to return to the original or inoperative position, the switch 15 assumes the full line position, but the relay R3 maintains the self-holding state while the needle is positioned at the lower dead point as shown in FIG. 3-D. Thereafter, when the treadle 1 is pivoted in the one direction operation to the position B in FIG. 3, the switch 15 assumes the full line position and the switch 17 assumes the chain line position to energize the relay R1 whereby the sewing machine 60 is driven at the low or high speed depending upon the force applied whereupon the circuit to the relay R3 is broken and the switches [6-1 and R3-2 assume the full line positions, respectively. Thus, the switch [(3-1 is released from the self-holding condition and the switch R3-2 assumes the full line position to establish the circuit to the relay R1 through the upper contact 88. Therefore, as mentioned above, the treadle l is released from the position in FIG. 3-8 which the treadle has assumed in the one direction operation to the original position as shown in FIG. 3-C and the needle is stopped at the upper dead point.

To summarize the relationship between the operation of the treadle and the position of the needle as mentioned above referring to FIG. 3, when the treadle I is maintained in the inoperative position as shown by A in FIG. 3, the needle is held at the upper dead point. When the treadle l is pivoted from the inoperau've position in FIG. 3-A to the position in FIG. 3-3, in the one direction operation the needle moves reciprocally upwardly and downwardly at the low or high speed. when the treadle i is released to pivot from the position assumed in the one direction operation to the inoperative position in FIG. 3C, the needle is stopped at the upper dead point. When the treadle I is pivoted in the first other direction operation from the inoperative position in FIG. 3-A or 3-C to the position in FIG. 3-D, the needle is stopped at the lower dead point in one-half cycle. When the treadle l is pivoted in the second other direction operation from the position in FIG. 3-!) to the position in FIG. 3E, the needle which was at the lower dead point is moved upwardly in another one-half cycle to the upper dead point and then stopped there. When the treadle l is released to be allowed to pivot from the position in FIG. 3-E to the inoperative position in FIG. 3-A, 3-C or 3D, the needle remains at the upper dead point. Even if the treadle l is released from the position in FIG. 3-D which the treadle has assumed in the first other direction operation, the needle remains at the lower dead point. When the treadle is pivoted to the inoperative position after the treadle has been pivoted in the consecutive first and second direction operations to drive the sewing machine, the needle is stopped at the upper dead point. Therefore, it will be understood that when the treadle l is pivoted to the inoperau've position after the treadle has been pivoted in the one direction operation to drive the sewing machine, the needle always assumes and is stopped at the upper dead point; when the treadle is pivoted from the inoperative position in the first other direction operation, the needle assumes and is stopped at the lower dead point; when the treadle is released from the position which the treadle has assumed in the first other direction operation, the needle remains at the lower dead point; when the treadle is pivoted from the inoperative position in the second other direction operation, the needle assumes and is stopped in the upper dead point; and finally, when the treadle is pivoted from the position which the treadle has assumed in the second other direction operation to the inoperative position, the needle remains at the upper dead point.

As clear from the foregoing, according to the present invention the sewing machine can be driven at a low or high speed by pivoting the treadle in the one direction operation, and the machine operation speed can be selected depending upon the length of a seam line to be formed on a workpiece. In addition, as a cycle of sewing operation approaches the end, the operating speed of the sewing machine is gradually reduced thereby to precisely control the termination of the sewing cycle so as to give a good appearance to the edge of the seam line. The thus obtained sewn article has a high value as an article of commerce. And when the treadle is allowed to pivot to the inoperative position after the treadle has been pivoted in the one direction operation to drive the sewing machine at a low or high speed, since the needle always assumes and is stopped at the upper dead point, removal of the sewn article, replacement of the sewn article by a new workpiece, needle threading and change of needle can be rapidly and easily performed as soon as the sewing machine is stopped thereby increasing the efficiency of the sewing machine operation. And when the treadle is directly pivoted from the position which the treadle has assumed in the one direction operation to the position which the treadle is adapted to assume in the first other direction operation bypassing the inoperative position, the needle is stopped at the lower dead point. With the treadle I in the above position, when the treadle is successively pivoted in the first other direction and in the one direction operation, the sewing machine is driven. Thereafter, when the treadle is again returned to the inoperative position, the sewing gnachine is stopped with the needle stopped at the upper dead point. Therefore, when the needle sews a curved seam line as experienced in sewing a pocket on a workpiece, for example, the treadle is pivoted from the position assumed in the one direction operation to the position to be assumed by the first opposite direction operation to stop the needle at the lower dead point and thereafter, the workpiece is rotated about the needle. When the pocket has been sewn, the treadle is partially released to be allowed to pivot from the present position to the inoperative position whereby the needle is stopped at the upper dead point so that the sewn workpiece can be easily removed.

When the novel control device is employed in a sewing machine of the type in which a thread shearing mechanism is provided for cutting the thread during the time space from the stoppage of the needle at the lower dead point to the stoppage of the same at the upper point in one-half cycle, the thread cutting mechanism is operated only when the treadle is pivoted to the position assumed by the first other direction operation to the position to be assumed by the second other direction operation. In such a case, when the treadle is in the position assumed in the first other direction operation where the needle is stopped at the lower dead point without the thread being cut, the operator's foot is resisted by the leg 13 of the elastic member 11. And when the treadle is in the position assumed in the second other direction operation in which the thread is cut, the operators foot is resisted by the other leg 14 of the elastic member Ill. Therefore, in operating the treadle, the operator can positively discern the first other direction operation in which the needle is stopped at the lower dead point and the thread is not cut from the second other direction operation during which the thread is cut. Therefore, there will be no possibility for erroneous operation such that the thread is cut when it is not necessary to do so whereby the operation of the sewing machine can be positively controlled.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a modified embodiment of the present invention and the modified embodiment is substantially identical with the first embodiment in construction and operation except for the points to be described immediately below. As mentioned above, in the first embodiment even when the treadle is pivoted from the position in FIG. 3-D which the treadle assumed in the first other direction operation to the inoperative position in FIG. 3-D, the needle remains at the lower dead point whereas when the treadle is pivoted from the position in FIG. 3-D to the position in FIG. 3-5 in the second other direction operation, the needle is moved to and stopped at the upperdead point. Therefore, even when the treadle is repeatedly pivoted between the position in H6. 3-D and that in FIG. 3-1) the needle remains at the lower dead point.

However, in the modified embodiment of FIGS. 4 and when the treadle is pivoted from the position in FIG. 3-D which the treadle assumed in the first other direction operation to the inoperative position in FIG. 3-1), the needle which is now at the lower dead point is moved upwardly to the upper dead point and stopped there in one-half cycle of movement and when the treadle is repeatedly pivoted between the position in FIG. 3-D and that in FIG. 3-D the needle moves upwardly and downwardly one-half cycle each time the treadle is pivoted between the two positions.

To summarize the differences between the first embodiment and second embodiment, in the first embodiment even when the treadle is pivoted between the position in FIG. 3-D and that in FIG. 3-D, the needle remains at the lower dead point whereas in the second embodiment each time the treadle is pivoted between the position in FIG. 3-D and that in FIG. 3-1), the needle moves upwardly and downwardly between the lower and upper dead points in one-half cycle of movement.

In the modified embodiment, the construction and arrangement of the parts of the needle positioning and stopping mechanism and the linkage mechanism connecting between the treadle and clutch lever are identical with those of the first embodiment as shown in FiGS. 1 and 2. The switches 115, 116 and 117 of the modified embodiment are also operated in response to the operative positions of the treadle 100 in the same manner as the corresponding switches 15, 16 and 17 of the first embodiment; that is, the switch 1 assumes the chain line position when the treadle 100 is pivoted in the first other direction operation and maintains this position even when the treadle is pivoted in the second other direction operation, the switch 116 assumes the chain line position only when the treadle is pivoted in the second other direction operation and the switch 117 assumes the chain line position when the treadle is initially pivoted in the one direction operation and maintains the position even when the treadle is pivoted in the one direction operation. Therefore, when the treadle 100 is in the full line position as shown in FIG. 5, these switches 1 15, 116 and 117 assume the full line positions, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4. The operation of the relay R10 of the second embodiment is also the same as that of the relay R1 of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The positions of the various parts of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 correspond to those of the corresponding parts of the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, when the treadle is in the full line position as shown in FIG. 2, the relays R10, R20 and R30 are deenergized and their respectively associated switches are in the full line positions in which the stationary magnet 182 is energized, the sewing machine is in its inoperative position with the needle held at the upper dead point, the motor is rotating at a high speed to rotate the disc 164 and the rotary magnet 181 is deenergized in idle motion on the worm shaft 179.

With the parts maintained in the positions shown in FIG. 4, when the treadle 100 is slightly pivoted to the intermediate drive posin'on in the one direction operation by slight compressing the spring 107 sufficient to cause the disc 166 to contact the disc 1741, but insufficient to pull the clutch lever 172 downwardly in the counterclockwise direction, the switch 1 17 assumes the chain line position and the relay R10 is energized to shift its associated switch 1110-10 to the chain line position whereby the sewing machine initiates its operation at the low speed.

Even when the sewing machine initiates its operation from the position in which the needle is at the upper dead point and contact is made between the detection cam 186 and upper contact 188 to establish the circuit to the relay 1110 through the switch R3040, no change occurs in the system because the relay 1110 has been already energized and the circuits to the other relays 1120 and 1130 have not yet been established.

And even when the notch 185 in the detection cam 186 is registered with the lower contact 187 to break the circuit to the lower contact, no change occurs in the system because the switch 1130-10 is in the full line position. Therefore, the sewing machine continues to operate at the low speed by the rotary member 176 which rotates at the low speed and the needle moves vertically and reciprocally in its stroke as shown in FIG. 6-B. Thereafter, when the treadle is pivoted to the full driving position B in the one direction operation overcoming the force of the spring 107, the operation speed of the sewing machine is increased whereas the rotary member 176 rotates on the clutch shaft 173 in idle motion because the switch 117 remains in the chain line position.

When the treadle 100 is released from the depressing force which has been applied on the treadle in the one direction operation, the treadle is springly pivoted back to the full line position of FIG. 5 and the disc 166 which is rotating now at the high speed is moved away which is rotating now at the high speed is moved away from its contact with the disc 164 toward and to contact the disc 174 of the rotary member 176 which is not rotating at the low speed by the inertia force of the driven sewing machine, clutch shaft 173, its disc 166 and pulley 170 whereby the disc 166 reduces its rotational speed gradually subject to the braking action by the disc 174. whereupon the switch 1 17 assumes the full line position to break the circuit to the relay R10, but as long as the sewing machine is driven at the high speed the relay R10 remains energized through the circuit established through the detection cam 186, upper contact 138 and switch 1130-10 in the full line position. When the rotational speed of the disc 166 is reduced to that at which the disc 174 of the rotary member 176, which is rotating at the same low speed as the rotary magnet 181 is rotating through its contact therewith and is subject to braking thereby, the operating speed of the sewing machine is also reduced. With the sewing machine being driven at the low speed, when the notch 185 in the detection cam 186 comes into registration with the upper contact 188 it breaks the circuit to the upper contact thereby to deenergize the relay R10 so as to shift the switch 1110-10 to the chain line position. Upon the shifting of the relay 1110-10 to the chain line position, the needle is stopped at the upper dead point as shown in FIG. 6-C to stop the operation of the sewing machine.

Thereafter, when the treadle l is pivoted to first heeling position D in the first other direction operation against the force of the leg 113 of the elastic member 1 1 1 to the chain line position of FIG. 5, the switch assumes the chain line position to establish the circuit to the relay R30 through the switch 1120-20 to energize the relay I whereby the switch R3040 is shifted to the chain line position to establish the circuit to the relay R10 through the lower contact 1187. Upon the establishment of the circuit to the relay R10, the switch 1110-10 is shifted to the chain line position to energize the rotary magnet 181 to drive the sewing machine at the low speed until the needle reaches and is stopped at the lower dead point whereupon the circuit to the relay 1110 through the switch 1130-10 in the chain line position is broken whereas the switch 1110-10 is shifted to the full line position to energize the stationary magnet 182 to stop the needle at the lower dead point shown in FIG. 6-D thereby to stop the sewing machine.

With the treadle 100 in the first heeling position in FIG. 5, when the treadle is further pivoted in the second other direction operation to the second heeling position E against the force of the legs 113 and 114 of the elastic member 111, the switch 116 is shifted to the chain line position whereas the switch 115 remains in the chain line position whereby the relay R20 is energized to hold its switches 1120-10 and 1120-20 in the energized state while the switch 1120-20 breaks the circuit to the relay 1130. Upon the deenergization of the relay R30, the switch 1130-10 is shifted to the full line position to establish the circuit to the relay 1110 through the upper contact 188. Upon the establishment of the circuit to the relay 1110, the switch RIG-10 is shifted to the chain line position to energize the rotary magnet 181 whereupon the driving of the sewing machine at the low speed is initiated. As the sewing machine is driven at the low speed, as the shaft 167 rotates 180 the needle will reach the upper dead point whereupon the circuit to the relay R through the upper contact 188 and switch R30-l0 in the full line position is broken whereas the switch R10-10 is shifted to the full line position to energize the stationary magnet 182 whereby the needle is stopped at the upper dead point as shown in FIG. 6-E.

When the treadle 100 is partially released by removing only the force which pivoted the treadle from the first heeling position to the second heeling position, that is, when the treadle is pivoted from the position in FIG. 6-E to the position in FIG. 6-D, the switch 116 assumes the full line position whereas the relay R maintains its energized state through the switch R20-l0. Thus, the various relays R10, R20 and R maintain their operative state and accordingly, the needle remains at the upper dead point. Thereafter, when the treadle 100 is fully released to be allowed to move from the position in FIG. 6-E to the inoperative position in FIG. 6-F, only the switch 115 is shifted to the full line position and no change occurs in the operative state of the various relays R10, R20 and R30. Therefore, even if the treadle 100 is shifted from the position in FIG. 6-E to the position in FIG. 6-F, the needle remains at the upper dead point and only the relay R20 maintains its operative state through the switch R2040.

The self-locking or holding of the relay R20 by the switch R20-10 can be released by pivoting the treadle 100 in the one direction operation for driving the sewing machine whereby the switch 1 17 is shifted to the chain line position to break the circuit to the relay R20 so as to deenergize the relay R20 and the switch R20-1 assumes the full line position. In the position in FIG. 6-D of the treadle 100 which the treadle assumed in the above-mentioned first other direction operation in which the switch 115 is in the chain line position to energize the relay R30-10 which in turn shifts the switch R30 to the chain line position whereby the needle is stopped at the lower dead point and the circuit to the relay R10 through the lower contact 187 is broken by the registration of the cam notch 185 with the lower contact 187 thereby to deenergize the relay R10 (with the switches 1 l6 and 117 positioned in the full line positions), when the treadle 100 is released from the force which pivoted the treadle to the position in FIG. 6-D in the first other direction operation to be allowed to move to the position in FIG. 6-D' or the inoperative position, the switch 115 is shifted to the full line position to deenergize the relay R30 whereas the switch R30-l0 is shifted to the full line position to energize the relay R10 whereby the sewing machine is driven at the low speed from the lower dead point of the needle. As the sewing machine 160 is driven at the low speed, when the shaft 167 has turned 180 the notch 185 in the detection cam 186 comes into registration with the upper contact 188 to break the circuit to the relay R10. By this time, the needle has reached and is stopped at the upper dead point as shown in FIG. 6-D. Thereafter, when the treadle 100 is pivoted in the first other direction operation from the position 6-D to the position 6-D, the relay R30 is energized to rotate the shaft 167 thereby to move the needle from the upper dead point toward the lower dead point. When the shaft 67 has rotated 180 the needie will have reached and been stopped at the lower dead point. Therefore, by operating the treadle 100 to move between only the two positions, that is, the position 6-D and the inoperative position, the sewing machine can be driven for one-half cycle of operation.

The relationship between the treadle 100 and the position of the needle of the modified embodiment as mentioned above may be summarized as hereinbelow. Referring to FIG. 6, when the treadle 100 is in the inoperative position the needle remains at the upper dead point, when the treadle is pivoted from the inoperative position to the position B in the one direction operation, the needle reciprocally moves in its vertical stroke, when the force applied on the treadle in the one direction operation is released to allow the treadle to pivot to the position in FIG. 6-B, the needle is stopped at the upper dead point, when the treadle is pivoted in the first other direction operation from the position in FIG. 6-C or the inoperative position to the position in FIG. 6-D, the needle moves from the upper dead point toward and is stopped at the lower dead point in one-half cycle, when the force applied on the treadle in the first other direction operation is released, the treadle is allowed to pivot to the inoperative position D and the needle moves from the lower dead point toward and is stopped at the upper dead point (each time the treadle is pivoted between the position in FIG. 6-D and the position in FIG. 6-D the needle moves for one-half cycle), when the treadle 100 is pivoted in the second other direction operation the needle which is now at the lower dead point moves toward and is stopped at the upper dead point in onehalf cycle and even when the force applied on the treadle in the second other direction is released to allow the treadle to pivot to the position in FIG. 6-F or the inoperative position, the needle remains at the upper dead point. Therefore, it will be understood that when the treadle is allowed to pivot to the inoperative position after the one direction operation for driving the sewing machine the needle is always stopped at the upper dead point, when the treadle is pivoted in the first other direction operation from the inoperative position, the needle moves from the inoperative position toward and is stopped at the lower dead point, when the force applied on the treadle in the first other direction is released to allow the treadle to pivot from the position assumed in the fist other direction operation to the inoperative position and the needle moves toward and is stopped at the upper dead point, when the treadle is pivoted in the second other direction from the inoperative position to the position in FIG. 6-E, the needle moves toward and is stopped at the upper dead point and even when the force applied on the treadle is released to allow the treadle to pivot to the inoperative position, the needle remains at the upper dead point.

As is clear from the foregoing, the effects obtainable by the modified embodiment are substantially the same as those obtainable by the first embodiment.

In the foregoing the invention has been described in reference to specific illustrative embodiments. It will be evident, however, that variations and modifications, as well as the substitution of equivalent parts or elements for those shown herein for illustration, may be made without departing from the broader scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A control device for the operation of a sewing machine which comprises in combination: a sewing machine adapted to be driven for a cycle of sewing operation; a driving device; electromechanical means coupled between said driving device and said sewing machine for connecting said driving device to and disconnecting said driving device from said sewing machine; a manual control pedal movable among a forced neutral position, a driving position on one side of the neutral position, and a first heeling position and a second heeling position on the other side of said neutral position, said pedal being coupled to said electromechanical means for mechanically controlling said electromechanical means to drive and stop said sewing machine; an electric stop device forming part of said electromechanical device for selectively stopping the sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower dead point; and circuit means including a plurality of switches acted on by said control pedal in its respective driving position and heeling positions, and said circuit means being coupled to said electromechanical means to said stop device for actuating the electromechanical means for driving the sewing machine needle upwardly and downwardly when the control pedal is in said driving position, for stopping and holding the needle at the predetermined upper dead point when the control pedal is in said forced neutral position, for stopping and holding the needle at the lower dead point when the control pedal is in said first heeling position, for stopping and holding the needle at the upper dead point when the control pedal is in said second heeling position, and for stopping and holding the needle at the lower dead point when the control pedal is moved directly from the first heeling position to the forced neutral position without being moved to the second heeling position.

2. A control device as claimed in claim 1 in which said electromechanical means includes clutch means for operating said sewing machine at a low speed and at a high speed and lever means for changing said clutch from low-speed operation to high-speed operation, said manual control pedal being connected to said lever means and movable from an intermediate driving position which is between said driving position and said forced neutral position to said driving position for actuating said lever means for changing said driving speed from the low speed to the high speed, one of said switch means being positioned to be actuated by said manual control pedal when it is in said intermediate drive position for driving said sewing machine at said low speed, whereby said sewing machine is driven at a low speed when said pedal is moved to said intermediate driving position and at a high speed when said control pedal is moved to said driving position.

3. A control device for the operation of a sewing machine which comprises in combination: a sewing machine adapted to be driven for a cycle of sewing operation; a driving device; electromechanicai means coupled between said driving device and said sewing machine for connecting said driving device to and disconnecting said driving device from said sewing machine; a manual control pedal movable among a forced neutral position, a driving position on one side of the neutral position, and a first heeling position and a second heeling position on the other side of said neutral position, said pedal being coupled to said electromechanical means for mechanically controlling said electromechanical means to drive and stop said sewing machine; an electric stop device forming part of said electromechanical device for selectively stopping the sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower dead point; and circuit means including a plurality of switches acted on by said control pedal in its respective driving position and heeling positions, and said circuit means being coupled to said electromechanical means and to said stop device for actuating the electromechanical means for driving the sewing machine needle upwardly and downwardly when the control pedal is in said driving position, for stopping and holding the needle at the predetermined upper dead point when the control pedal is in said forced neutral position, for stopping and holding the needle at the lower dead point when the control pedal is in said first heeling position, for stopping and holding the needle at the upper dead point when the control pedal is in said second heeling position, and for moving and holding the needle at the upper dead point when the control pedal is moved directly from the first heeling position to the forced neutral position without being moved to the second heeling position.

4. A control device as claimed in claim 3 in which said electromechanical means includes clutch means for operating said sewing machine at a low speed and at a high speed and lever means for changing said clutch from low speed operation to high speed operation, said manual control pedal being connected to said lever means and movable from an intermediate driving position which is between said driving position and said forced neutrai position to said driving position for actuating said lever means for changing said driving speed from the low speed to the high speed, one of said switch means being positioned to be actuated by said manual control pedal when it is in said intermediate drive position for driving said sewing machine at said low speed, whereby said sewing machine is driven at a low speed when said pedal is moved to said intermediate driving position and at a high speed when said control pedal is moved to said driving position. 

1. A control device for the operation of a sewing machine which comprises in combination: a sewing machine adapted to be driven for a cycle of sewing operation; a driving device; electromechanical means coupled between said driving device and said sewing machine for connecting said driving device to and disconnecting said driving device from said sewing machine; a manual control pedal movable among a forced neutral position, a driving position on one side of the neutral position, and a first heeling position and a second heeling position on the other side of said neutral position, said pedal being coupled to said electromechanical means for mechanically controlling said electromechanical means to drive and stop said sewing machine; an electric stop device forming part of said electromechanical device for selectively stopping the sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower dead point; and circuit means including a plurality of switches acted on by said control pedal in its respective driving position and heeling positions, and said circuit means being coupled to said electromechanical means to said stop device for actuating the electromechanical means for driving the sewing machine needle upwardly and downwardly when the control pedal is in said driving position, for stopping and holding the needle at the predetermined upper dead point when the control pedal is in said forced neutral position, for stopping and holding the needle at the lower dead point when the control pedal is in said first heeling position, for stopping and holding the needle at the upper dead point when the control pedal is in said second heeling position, and for stopping and holding the needle at the lower dead point when the control pedal is moved directly from the first heeling position to the forced neutral position without being moved to the second heeling position.
 2. A control device as claimed in claim 1 in which said electromechanical means includes clutch means for operating said sewing machine at a low speed and at a high speed and lever means for changing said clutch from low speed operation to high speed operation, said manual control pedal being connected to said lever means and movable from an intermediate driving position which is between said driving position and said forced neutral position to said driving position for actuating said lever means for changing said driving speed from the low speed to the high speed, one of said switch means being pOsitioned to be actuated by said manual control pedal when it is in said intermediate drive position for driving said sewing machine at said low speed, whereby said sewing machine is driven at a low speed when said pedal is moved to said intermediate driving position and at a high speed when said control pedal is moved to said driving position.
 3. A control device for the operation of a sewing machine which comprises in combination: a sewing machine adapted to be driven for a cycle of sewing operation; a driving device; electromechanical means coupled between said driving device and said sewing machine for connecting said driving device to and disconnecting said driving device from said sewing machine; a manual control pedal movable among a forced neutral position, a driving position on one side of the neutral position, and a first heeling position and a second heeling position on the other side of said neutral position, said pedal being coupled to said electromechanical means for mechanically controlling said electromechanical means to drive and stop said sewing machine; an electric stop device forming part of said electromechanical device for selectively stopping the sewing machine needle at a predetermined upper or lower dead point; and circuit means including a plurality of switches acted on by said control pedal in its respective driving position and heeling positions, and said circuit means being coupled to said electromechanical means and to said stop device for actuating the electromechanical means for driving the sewing machine needle upwardly and downwardly when the control pedal is in said driving position, for stopping and holding the needle at the predetermined upper dead point when the control pedal is in said forced neutral position, for stopping and holding the needle at the lower dead point when the control pedal is in said first heeling position, for stopping and holding the needle at the upper dead point when the control pedal is in said second heeling position, and for moving and holding the needle at the upper dead point when the control pedal is moved directly from the first heeling position to the forced neutral position without being moved to the second heeling position.
 4. A control device as claimed in claim 3 in which said electromechanical means includes clutch means for operating said sewing machine at a low speed and at a high speed and lever means for changing said clutch from low speed operation to high speed operation, said manual control pedal being connected to said lever means and movable from an intermediate driving position which is between said driving position and said forced neutral position to said driving position for actuating said lever means for changing said driving speed from the low speed to tge high speed, one of said switch means being positioned to be actuated by said manual control pedal when it is in said intermediate drive position for driving said sewing machine at said low speed, whereby said sewing machine is driven at a low speed when said pedal is moved to said intermediate driving position and at a high speed when said control pedal is moved to said driving position. 